The Flamanville EPR connected to the network, Iris² constellation, OneWeb contract for Airbus… Seven good news to start the week

1 – The Flamanville EPR (finally) connected to the network

EDF connected the new EPR type nuclear reactor in Flamanville (Manche) on Saturday, December 21, to the French electricity transmission network, the first so-called “coupling” operation in the country since the commissioning of reactor no. 2 of the plant from Civaux (Vienna), in 1999.

2 – The Iris² contract signed, Europe's counterattack against Starlink takes shape

The contract linked to the development of the Iris² constellation has just been signed, for an amount of nearly 11 billion euros. Made up of nearly 300 satellites distributed over several orbits, it is supposed to offer a sovereign telecommunications solution to Europe in the face of mega constellations. Its entry into service is planned for 2030.

3 – Airbus will assemble 100 satellites for OneWeb

Eutelsat announced on December 17 that it had chosen Airbus Defense and Space, the space branch of the French aircraft manufacturer, for the production of 100 new low-orbit communications satellites for the extension of the OneWeb constellation, which belongs to the Eutelsat Group.

4 – The popular train for the end of year celebrations

SNCF is forecasting record reservations for the end-of-year holidays. The mark of 5 million travelers should be well exceeded. More than 700 trains will run every day.

5 – Atos completes its restructuring

Atos announced on Thursday December 19 the finalization of its financial restructuring, thanks to the completion of the final stages of its accelerated safeguard plan. The group now says it has the resources and flexibility necessary to implement its medium-term strategy.

6 – The pharmaceutical industry creates jobs

The pharmaceutical industry continues to generate a positive balance of jobs, according to the latest figures communicated by the sector. The pharmaceutical industrial sector in France recorded a 2.4% increase in its workforce in 2023, i.e. more than 16,000 recruitments for 2,200 net creations.

7 – Paris wants to reduce its volume of waste

The Paris Council unanimously adopted a plan aimed at reducing by 100,000 tonnes the million tonnes of household waste produced each year in the capital in 2030 with the aim of tripling the recovery rate. Collection of bulky items at home, donation terminals or “zero waste” buildings: around twenty measures should enable this 10% reduction in five years.